Current Problems: Government Commitments to Truth and Reconciliation

Exploring Stakeholder: "Government of Manitoba"

Updates on this page: 62
 

March 11, 2024


Painful discrimination still confronts too many Indigenous people: Ken Coates for Inside Policy

Canada has a long way to go before Indigenous peoples can be assured of fairness before the law or consistent acceptance in Canadian society. March 11, 2024 in Ken Coates, Inside Policy, Columns, Latest News, Indigenous Affairs Program, Social issues NationTalk: McDonald-Laurier Institute: Inside Policy – Most Canadians believe that life is getting better for Indigenous peoples in the country and...

March 9, 2024


Brian Mulroney’s complicated relationship with Indigenous peoples in Canada

From laying the foundations of Nunavut to the Oka crisis, the former PM’s legacy was one of contradictions CBC News: The late Brian Mulroney’s legacy with Indigenous peoples in Canada is marked by its contradictions — failures remembered for their good intentions, successes accompanied by catastrophic disappointments.  The former prime minister is praised by some Indigenous leaders for creating a...

February 15, 2024


What does the duty to consult First Nations, Inuit and Métis mean?

And why some advocates say Canada needs to move from consultation to consent CBC Indigenous: You’ve probably heard the phrase duty to consult, or failure to consult, when it comes to governments and their relationships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis.  But what does it actually mean?  Stemming from three Supreme Court of Canada decisions in 2004...

January 29, 2024


A new, reset relationship starts with meaningful consultation

The election of Premier Wab Kinew is an incredible achievement for our province. It’s also a significant opportunity for a reset in how the provincial government manages its relationship with Indigenous Peoples in Manitoba. For years, former Manitoba governments adopted an approach of informing Indigenous communities of decisions after they were made, instead of including...

January 1, 2024


Consulting Indigenous communities on critical minerals is key to net zero ambitions

PUBLISHED DECEMBER 31, 2023 UPDATED JANUARY 1, 2024 The Globe and Mail: Two years ago, First Nations leaders made clear what Canada must take to heart if it wants to be a global player in critical minerals and the energy transition: The only road to net zero runs through Indigenous lands. That is, any efforts to develop...

October 27, 2023


Southern Chiefs Pass Resolutions Supporting the Wellness of SCO Citizens at Latest Summit

NationTalk:ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) hosted a Chiefs-in-Summit earlier this week. Highlights included the passing of key resolutions that will positively impact the overall wellness of the citizens of SCO Nations, along with a special honouring ceremony for Premier Wab Kinew. “At the start of this Summit, I expressed...

October 24, 2023


Make a decision on the MNO’s historic communities, judge tells Métis National Council

“We have certainly the better side of the litigation and it’s unfortunate that that the MNC had to, without the need to, bring these grievances in the form of litigation…” — Rahool Agarwal, legal counsel for the Manitoba Métis Federation At right is the Métis National Council President Cassidy Caron, and at left is David...

October 12, 2023


A need for action on reconciliation

NationTalk: Winnipeg Free Press – Each year, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation prompts us to take stock of the progress we are making, as a country, on the journey towards reconciliation. Often this progress — or the lack of it — is measured by counting how many of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s...

October 2, 2023


Weaponized by PCs, sidelined by NDP: Indigenous concerns largely absent from Manitoba election

Indigenous voters will have to wait for the next election to see substantive dialogue CBC News: With Indigenous population growth outpacing the rest of the province, there may come a year where the needs of First Nations, Métis and Inuit peoples will be front and centre in a Manitoba election campaign. This was not that...

September 30, 2023


Indigenous voters say reconciliation in Manitoba takes more than landfill search promises

Process involves return of languages, resources and ‘bringing us to the table,’ says former youth chief CBC Indigenous: Indigenous voters in Manitoba say discussions about the proposed search of a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two First Nations homicide victims have dominated this year’s provincial election season for good reason, but achieving reconciliation goes...

September 30, 2023


Manitoba founded by Métis but oppressive history soon made Indigenous premiership impossible

Last time Manitoba had an Indigenous premier was 136 years ago  Manitoba has existed as a province for 153 years and, in that time, has had 19 premiers lead it through rewarding and turbulent times, marking milestones and influencing history. Despite its lengthy resumé, the province comes up short in two significant measures. It has never elected a premier who is...

September 29, 2023


Ottawa poised to make decision on search of Manitoba landfill for human remains: minister

Families looking for federal commitment to funding a search of the Prairie Green Landfill in Manitoba CBC News: Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Gary Anandasangaree says the federal government is on the verge of presenting a plan in response to calls for a search of a Manitoba landfill for the remains of two First Nations women believed to have been murdered by...

September 27, 2023


AMC Increasingly Concerned by Human Rights Violations in Premier Stefanson’s Election Campaign

Nationtalk: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is growing increasingly concerned about the human rights violations prevalent in Premier Heather Stefanson’s newest campaign slogan. The slogan, “Stand firm” references the position of her party to not search two Winnipeg landfills for the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode...

September 27, 2023


New blockade goes up at Winnipeg’s Brady Road landfill as protesters demand search for women’s remains

Poll, CBC Manitoba focus group suggest voters are split on issue of landfill search ahead of Oct. 3 election Rachel Ferstl, Sarah Petz  WARNING: This story contains distressing details. CBC News: A new barricade has gone up at Winnipeg’s Brady Road landfill, as calls continue for a search for the remains of two First Nations women...

September 26, 2023


Federal minister criticizes Manitoba Tory ad that cites rejection of landfill search

Former Crown-Indigenous services minister Marc Miller told Canadian Press that the decision not to search the landfill is ‘heartless.’ Photo: APTN.  APTN News: The Canadian Press – Manitoba’s Progressive Conservatives came under fire Monday for taking out a newspaper ad that highlights, in part, the province’s decision to not search a landfill for the remains...

September 25, 2023


PCs make opposition to landfill search a central facet of campaign as Manitoba election day nears

Heather Stefanson pledges to ‘stand firm’ against search for missing and presumed murdered Indigenous women CBC Indigenous: As the Oct. 3 election day in Manitoba draws closer, the Progressive Conservatives are now actively campaigning on their opposition to searching a Winnipeg-area landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women police presume are victims of an alleged serial...

September 24, 2023


Heather Stefanson Launches Ads Declaring She Will Never Search Landfill For Remains of Murdered Women

Manitoba PC leader Heather Stefanson is running partisan ads politicizing search for Indigenous women believed murdered by a serial killer The Tyee: Press Progress – Heather Stefanson, the leader of Manitoba’s PCs, has launched a new ad campaign promoting her opposition to searching a landfill for the remains of two Indigenous women believed to have...

September 18, 2023


Rallies calling for landfill search to be held across Canada on Monday

Families, supporters hope to put pressure on provincial, federal governments to search for women CBC Indigenous: The families of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran hope their calls to search a landfill for the remains of their loved ones will be heard across the country. People in at least 17 cities, including Ottawa, will rally on Monday as...

September 8, 2023


No Moral Struggle Here: Search the Landfill for Lives Lost

The refusal to search for murdered Indigenous women is causing avoidable trauma. The Tyee: The Conversation – In May 2022, Winnipeg resident Jeremy Skibicki was arrested and charged with the murder of 24-year-old Rebecca Contois. By the end of that year, Skibicki would be charged with the murder of three other women: Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran and an unidentified...

August 29, 2023


Manitoba’s refusal to search landfill for remains is racist, church leader says

‘I can’t imagine that if there were white people in the landfill … we wouldn’t be searching for them’: bishop CBC News: The leaders of four major church denominations are standing together to urge Manitoba’s political leaders to search Prairie Green landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, with one calling the province’s stance racist....

August 18, 2023


Resisting landfill search sees Manitoba chiefs call for premier’s resignation

The AMC passed a resolution this week demanding Stefanson step down for not following the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is calling for the resignation of Premier Heather Stefanson for her continued refusal to support a search of two Winnipeg-area landfills for missing Indigenous women....

August 17, 2023


‘They are being disappeared’: Tax union backs Winnipeg landfill search

The remains of three women are believed to be in two Winnipeg-area landfills: Marcedes Myran, Morgan Harris and an as-yet-unidentified victim known as Buffalo Woman. APTN News: “This is absolutely appalling, in my opinion, that the government is disrespecting the Indigenous people – especially Indigenous women,” said union president Marc Briere during the noon-hour rally....

August 15, 2023


AMC Receives Unwavering Support from the Canadian Human Rights Museum

NationTalk: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) wishes to announce the unequivocal support received from the Canadian Museum for Human Rights (CMHR) in response to the urgent calls to recover the remains of Marcedes Myran, Morgan Harris, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman) at two Winnipeg landfills. The CMHR’s letter of...

August 14, 2023


AMC Confronts Unacceptable Statement by Springfield Councillor

NationTalk: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) is calling on Springfield Mayor Patrick Therrien to take immediate action following racial and stereotypical remarks made by Springfield councillor, Andy Kuczynski, during a council meeting on August 8, 2023.T he unbecoming comments surfaced during a conversation about the construction of a facility...

August 10, 2023


Manitoba can’t walk away ‘scot-free’ from landfill victims: former Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister

CBC News: There is no scenario in which a province gets to walk away “scot-free” when two women are believed to be lying dead in a dump, says former Crown-Indigenous relations minister Marc Miller. In recent weeks, rallies have been held to demand a search of the Prairie Green Landfill, north of Winnipeg, for the remains...

August 3, 2023


While Indigenous people call for justice, Winnipeg’s police take aim at graffiti

TANYA TALAGA, SPECIAL TO THE GLOBE AND MAIL The Globe and Mail: When I first read the Winnipeg Police Service’s July 31 press release, I thought it was a joke. I thought maybe the Walking Eagle, the satirical Indigenous news site, was hard at work again. Sadly, you can’t make this type of disdain up. According to...

August 3, 2023


Hundreds rally, march in downtown Winnipeg to demand search of landfill for women’s remains

‘Impossible to move forward’ on a search without Manitoba’s co-operation, feds say CBC News: Chants to search a landfill for the remains of two First Nations women rang out across downtown Winnipeg on Thursday, as hundreds of people flooded the city’s most famous intersection for a round dance. CBC News counted about 200 people gathered...

July 26, 2023


Chiefs in Manitoba encourages new minister to continue push for landfill search

Gary Anandasangaree says he’ll be reaching out to families in Winnipeg.  APTN News: The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs is encouraging the new minister of Crown-Indigenous relations to continue the work of Marc Miller in pushing for the search of the Prairie Green Landfill outside Winnipeg. “We hope that Minister Gary Anandasangaree can help us and...

July 24, 2023


The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Demands Urgent Action to Search Prairie Green Landfill

NationTalk: Ottawa, Ontario – The Assembly of First Nations (AFN) condemns the continued refusal to search the Prairie Green Landfill, as it disregards the value of First Nations women’s lives. Furthermore, the AFN denounces the removal of the blockade set up by demonstrators at the Brady Road landfill, as it obstructs the path to justice....

July 21, 2023


The connection to spirit and body and the need to search the Winnipeg landfill

The closer your access to land and nature in its rawer forms, the more direct the links of body to spirit can seem. The Toronto Star: The voices defending the blockade of a privately owned garbage landfill in Winnipeg are eloquent, passionate and Indigenous. The murdered bodies of two Indigenous women and possibly more are...

July 20, 2023


Toronto Star: Opinion – A ‘heart­less’ decision

A protest block­ade was taken down on a road lead­ing to a land­fill just out­side Win­nipeg Tues­day, but that should not end the saga of Mor­gan Har­ris and Mar­cedes Myran. The remains of the women are believed to be in another Win­nipeg-area land­fill and a decision to leave them there was quite rightly branded as...

July 20, 2023


Unifor statement of support for families seeking justice for missing and murdered women in Winnipeg

NationTalk: Unifor supports the calls by families of missing women Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran for police and municipal professionals to thoroughly search the Brady Road landfill for their remains. Police believe the bodies of the two women were deposited there by their killer last year. Unifor also supports extending the search at the landfill...

July 19, 2023


CLC: Governments Must Search for Indigenous Women’s Remains

NationTalk: WINNIPEG—Canadian Labour Congress President Bea Bruske, with the support of Manitoba Federation of Labour President Kevin Rebeck issued the following statement today: “Canada’s unions call on governments at all levels to commence a search for the remains of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and an unidentified woman who has been named Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe (Buffalo Woman)...

July 6, 2023


National Inuit leader skipping premiers’ meeting over matter of respect

Natan Obed says relationship with premiers still a ‘long ways away’ from one needed for true reconciliation CBC News: The leader of the national organization representing Inuit turned down an invitation to meet with Canada’s premiers next week over the inclusion of non-rights-holding Indigenous groups. Natan Obed, president of the Inuit Tapirit Kanatami (ITK), told...

June 26, 2023


Majority of Manitobans want National Day for Truth and Reconciliation to be stat holiday, poll suggests

Governing PCs have said there is no consensus to declare new holiday in province CBC News: Three-quarters of Manitobans are in favour of making Sept. 30 — National Day for Truth and Reconciliation — a statutory holiday in Manitoba, a new Probe Research poll commissioned by the Winnipeg Free Press suggests. Orange Shirt Day, as...

April 11, 2023


Western premiers blast Lametti for suggesting Ottawa might ‘look at’ provinces’ power over natural resources

Lametti told an AFN meeting he would examine calls to rescind Natural Resources Transfer Act CBC News: Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and three western premiers are calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to disassociate his government from comments made by his justice minister — who promised last week to “look at” a decades-old law that...

March 23, 2023


11 northern Manitoba First Nations declare state of emergency to urge government intervention

State of emergency to be placed indefinitely: Keewatin Tribal Council grand chief CBC News: The Keewatin Tribal Council declared a regional state of emergency on Thursday afternoon to draw attention to the “dire” situations on the northern Manitoba communities and to urge immediate government action. The tribal council is made up of 11 communities, including Shamattawa First...

March 10, 2023


Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Responds to Provincial Budget Announcement

NationTalk: TREATY ONE TERRITORY, MB – On March 7, 2023, Manitoba’s Finance Minister Cliff Cullen announced the $21.8 billion “Historic Help For Manitobans: Safer Streets. Healing Health Care. Stronger Communities. Opportunities Ahead,” 2023 provincial budget, which identifies projected increases in federal transfers of $1,049 and expenditures of $1,976 million. Grand Chief Cathy Merrick for the...

January 27, 2023


SCO Urges Prime Minister to Include First Nations Leaders in Health Meeting

NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — Today, the Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is calling on Prime Minister Trudeau and the Government of Canada to ensure that First Nations leaders are included in health discussions on February 7, 2023. “Health care systems are in crisis. They are not meeting the needs of First Nations people, and...

December 15, 2022


At this rate, Canada won’t meet Truth and Reconciliation calls until 2065, report suggests

Seven years after the TRC released its final report, Canada has much work to do, Yellowhead Institute says. The Toronto Star: Canada has completed only 13 of 94 calls to action outlined by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, seven years after its final report, a new update shows. “Survivors (of residential schools) are ageing, and many...

November 15, 2022


Premier Heather Stefanson Unveils Path to Fight Violent Crime, Strengthen Health Care, Grow Economy and Help Manitobans in Speech from the Throne

Indigenous Watchdog Comment: The conclusion of the Speech from the Throne repeats all of the following priorities except “Advancing Reconciliation” which unfortunately does not inspire confidence that the Government of Manitoba is seriously committed to “significant efforts towards reconciliation” (as quoted from the Manitoba Speech from the Throne): Helping Make Our Communities Safer Helping Families...

September 26, 2022


‘We are truly sorry’: Leaders, health officials acknowledge Indigenous-specific racism in northern Manitoba’s health-care system

CTV News: Indigenous leaders and northern health officials in Manitoba say Indigenous people continue to face racism in the health-care system, and have signed a declaration committing to eliminate it. On Monday morning leaders from Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO), Keewatinohk Inniniw Minoayawin (KIM), and the Northern Regional Health Authority (NRHA), met in Thompson to sign...

April 22, 2022


Manitoba government fails to implement Path to Reconciliation Act: Auditor-Genneral

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs: Treaty One Territory, Manitoba – The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) issues this statement in response to the Auditor General’s Report regarding Manitoba’s failure to take meaningful action to implement the Path to Reconciliation Act passed in 2016. Following the release of the 94 Calls to Action in 2015 by the...

March 4, 2022


MMF Lawsuit against Manitoba Government breaking Manitoba Hydro contract

Manitoba Métis Federation: The Supreme Court of Canada decided not to hear the Manitoba Métis Federation’s (MMF) appeal of the Manitoba Court of Appeal’s (MBCA) decision in Manitoba Metis Federation Inc. v Brian Pallister et al. Important issues raised by the MMF remain to be decided by the courts, and the Crown’s duty to consult...

November 21, 2021


25th Anniversay of the RCAP Final Report

Prime Minister’s Office – “25th anniversary of the final report of the Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples”. The five-volume landmark document outlined 440 recommendations on Indigenous governance, nation rebuilding, lands and resources, treaties, economic development, and social policy, and called for the renewal of the relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples and all orders of...

September 14, 2021


Native Women’s Association of Canada Political Party Report Card

Native Women’s Association of Canada – NWAC commissioned Nanos Research to compare the parties’ platforms with the 11 policy issues NWAC determined to be of primary importance. Those policy issues include: human rights self-determination reconciliation environment clean water housing child welfare justice and policing employment and economic development, and health care. The result is a...

September 14, 2021


Native Women’s Association of Canada Political Party Report Card

NDP Liberal Green Conservative Bloc Québecois A B B D D Rights of Indigenous Women & MMIWG2S 4 5 5 2 1 Self Determination & Decision-Making 5 5 5 4 5 Reconciliation & residential Schools 5 3 4 3 3 Environment & Climate Change 5 4 4 1 1 Clean Drinking Water & Public Services...

June 15, 2021


AFN/Canada Race Race Relations Foundation poll

Assembly of First Nations – Thirteen years after the Government of Canada offered a formal apology to the survivors of the residential school system and families, 68 percent of Canadians polled still say they were either unaware of the severity of abuses at residential schools or completely shocked by it. A poll conducted by the...

May 7, 2021


MMF Lawsuit against Manitoba Government breaking Manitoba Hydro contract

Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – The Manitoba of Appeal ruled against the MMF legal challenge to the Pallister Government’s March 21, 2018 decision to stop Manitoba Hydro from honouring a July 2017 Agreement made between Manitoba Hydro and the MMF, which was negotiated bilaterally under a framework put in place through the Kwaysh-kin-na-mihk la paazh...

December 15, 2020


TRC Commissioners comments about pace of Reconciliation

APTN – The three commissioners of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Senator Murray Sinclair, Chief Wilton Littlechild, and Dr. Marie Wilson, are issuing a public statement expressing their concern about the slow and uneven pace of implementation of the Calls to Action released by the TRC five years ago today… While they acknowledge important and...

February 3, 2020


Cutting emergency funding to evacuated First Nation

CTV News – People from a Manitoba First Nation destroyed by flooding nearly nine years ago met in Winnipeg on Monday after a federal court upheld a decision by the federal government last week to end benefits for evacuees still waiting to go home Chief Adrian Sinclair has expressed concern some people, who have been...

January 7, 2020


8 Ways to champion Human Rights

Toronto Star – Toronto Star identified eight ways that Canada can champion human rights in the 2020s, including the following: First step is to adopt overdue legislation making the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Canada’s framework for rights and reconciliation. And to show we truly mean it: address mercury poisoning at...

November 7, 2019


Cutting emergency funding to evacuated First Nation

Government of Canada – announcement by the Government of Canada to cut off funding for emergency aid to residents of Lake St. Martin First Nation in Manitoba on Dec. 31. 2019 with the expectation that new housing stock – needed due to the massive 2011 flood – will be finished by then to accommodate all...

November 6, 2019


Cutting emergency funding to evacuated First Nation

Nov. 6, 2019 – While some have returned to newly constructed houses, 991 people are still waiting for a place to live, 400 of them children. (CTV)...

July 11, 2019


The Council of The Federation, bi-annual meetings of the Federal, Provincial and Territory Premiers

Refusal to allow leaders of the Assembly of First Nations, the Métis National Council, the Inuit Tapariit Kanatami and the Native Woman’s Association of Canada to participate in the main body of meetings with a primary focus on climate change within each jurisdiction. As has been noted by numerous media, Indigenous peoples are on the...

July 9, 2019


Towards Justice: Tackling Indigenous Child Poverty in Canada

Upstream – Failure to reduce the level of poverty among Indigenous children. Tracking Indigenous child poverty and non-Indigenous child poverty trends between Census 2006 and Census 2016, it’s clear that these differences have not markedly changed over that 10-year period. “Towards Justice: Tackling Indigenous Child Poverty in Canada” co-authored by the Assembly of First Nations...

April 17, 2019


Government of Manitoba cancels self-government negotiations

The Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) – MMF received a letter from the Pallister government cancelling the province’s support for self-government negotiations between Manitoba, Canada, and the MMF. This cancellation is one of several such notices sent from the province in the last year to the Manitoba Métis Government, the MMF. Since 1987, the Federal Government...

March 5, 2018


Manitoba Government vs Manitiba Métis Federation

Refusing to invite the Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) to comprehensive discussions to develop a provincial mineral development protocol to advance mineral development opportunities and projects on Indigenous territories. “This Provincial Government continues to disrespect the Métis Nation’s claims, rights and interests,” added President Chartr and. “Here is a clear example that the mining impacts on...

February 26, 2018


Failure to attend Métis Nation Health Forum

Manitoba Métis Federation – MMF is frustrated and disappointed by the lack of representation from the Province of Manitoba at a national Métis Nation Health Forum and the message that sends to the Métis Nation. A first ever Metis Nation Health Forum was held in Ottawa on February 26, 2018. The Forum brought together over...

February 16, 2018


Native Women’s Association of Canada

Collectively, NWAC represents a multitude of Nations of Indigenous women who are First Nations, Métis, Inuit. These women represent non-status women and girls and rights holders with Treaty rights, inherent rights, Métis rights, human rights and gender-based rights. As a representative of Indigenous women, NWAC will provide the required gender-based perspective. In order to achieve...

July 20, 2017


NWAC excluded from Council of the Federation discussions

Native Woman’s Association of Canada requested the Council of Federation to include NWAC in all Nation-to-Nation discussions, the work of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (National Inquiry) in the scope of improving the socio-economic status of Indigenous women, and the need for a community-based prevention model to drive the...

July 17, 2017


Indigenous leaders boycott Council of Federation meetings

National Chief Perry Bellegarde, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK) President Natan Obed and President Clément Chartier of the Métis Nation of Canada (MNC) held a press conference today in a show of unity over their concerns regarding the full and effective participation of Indigenous peoples in intergovernmental forums, including the Council of the Federation meeting taking...